Car coupler



Dec. 11, 1928.

W. J. REGAN ET AL CAR COUPLER Filed July 24, 1925 @ET l CAR coUPLE'R' Filed July 24, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 2 lW. J. REGAN ET AL CAR couPLER I Filed July 24, 1925 Dec. l1, 1928.

W. J. REGAN ET AL Dec. ll, 1928.

CAR COUPLER Filed July 24, 1925 4' sheets-sheet 4 Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

UNITED! sTA'ras 1,695,024 PATENT orjFicE.

WILLIAM J. REGAN, on WiLKINsBnne, ANDWILLIAM Knnso, or riT'isBURGH, PENN- SYLIVANIA, A SSIGNORS TO THE `MCG NWAYa ronnnr COMPANY, oF PITTS-L BURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATAON 0F PENNSYLVANIA,

f can oouriinn@ Application filed July 24,

This invention relates to the constructionl of car couplers of the vertical plane type in which the knuckle is normally restrained from performing and uncoupling rotation 'by means of a gravity actuated lock. j i

The primary object of the present invention is to produce a car coupler of rugged contion in which the knuckle locking means and the device for actuating the latter are s0 formed that accidental unlocking of the coupler is prevent-ed when the device `is in service.

A further object of the invention is to` provide simple and reliable means for mai1itaining the coupler lock in unlocked position while the knuckle is closed, thus enabling the knuckle to be subsequently opened at will.

Another object is to provide a coupler fin which the parts may be readily assembled and in which the elements ofthe mechanism cooperate with each other to ensurev the proper operative relation of parts;y and ay still further obj ect is to produce a coupler in which theknuckle locking mechanism is wel] suited for operation by means of a lock actuating device projecting below the coupler, but which also may be operated by a lock lifter extending upwardly through the coupler head.

A principal feature of the inventionin-V volves the combination of'a coupler head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock Afor said knuckle, and a lifter for actuating said lock, the lifter constituting means for cooperating with the coupler head and-lock so as to prevent the latter from accidentally moving to unlocked position and the lock heilig adapted when supported in unlocked position by said lifter to swing over and be supported bythe knuckle while the latter is in coupled relation, whereby subsequent opening of they knuckle may take piace. v

Another primary feature of the invention involves the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock for said knuckle, and a lifter for actua-ting said lock, the lock and lifter being capable of eXecuting relative sliding and swinging movements and the coupler head having` shoulder for cooperating with the lifter Yto preventaccidental unlocking of the lock', .the -lifter. having a shoulder which ex.-

the head.

1925..6 Serial No. 45,1908.

tends under said shoulder of the coupler head when the parts are in locked position and being provided with a plurality of faces which normally cooperate with the'lock and coupler head respectively so as to preventthe lifter from swinging in a direction enabling the lock to move accidentally towards unlooked position.

Another feature of the invention involves the combination of alcoupler, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock for said knuckle, andmeans for actuating thelock to cause it to assume unlocked position, said lock being adapted to. tilt with respect toits actuating means so as to assume a position in which it is supported in unlocked relation to the knuckle of the coupler while the latter is closed, the lock beingy provided with a knuckle locking portion and with a lug pro-l jecting from said' locking portion and ein.

tending downwardly below the latter,'the said locking portion normally standingfin the path of uncoupling movement of the tail of the knuckle, the said lug constituting guiding ineansfor preventing the lock from tilting toward the knuckle until after said locking portion has been moved to a position permitting said knuckle to open, and the tail of said knuckle being` formed with a ledge upon Vwhich said lug is adapted'to, seat after the tilting movement thereof. f

A furtherV featurey of the invention consistsin embodying in the coupler a knuckle opening .lever which is rotatably mounted u von'a pivotpin projection rigidly attached Vo the coupler head, the said head being formed with portion which normally overlaps the said lever so as to prevent the latter from becoming disassociated from its pivot pin while the knuckle is c A still `further feature resides in the c01n- `in assembled -relationfto binat-ion of acouple'r head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock for said i knuckle, and a lock lifterfor actuatingsaid loclnthe said lock being formed with a guiding projection adaptedfto overlap and cooperate with the inner end of the tail *of the knuckle when the latter is closed, and the coupler head at` a point above theta'il of the knuckle having a guiding wall adapted to cooperate with the said projection so as 'to guide the lock duringits unlockingv movemenu, the said guiding wall being substantially in vertical alinement with the end portion of the tail of the knuckle with which the said guiding projection cooperates.

Other features of the invention pertaining to advantageous relations and forms of parts will hereinafter appear and be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings chosen for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention,-

Figure 1 is a View, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of a coupler embodying our invention, the parts being shown in normal locked relation assembled for use with a release rigging arranged beneath the coupler.

Figure 2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, of a portion. of the mechanism Villust-rated in Fig. 1..

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. the knuckle opener being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a detail view. partly in elevation and partly in vertical sect-ion, showing' the relative position of the parts when the lifter has raised the lock to lock set position.

Figure 5 .is a detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the locking block raised to extreme height to cause an uncoupling rotation of the knuckle.

Figure 6 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the position assumed by the parts-'when'the lock lifter acts to arrest an accidental unlocking movement of the locking block.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7, Fig. 1.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line SWS, Fig. 1, showing the lock and litter in normal locked relation.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view sh owing a modified 'form of the invention where in a bottom operating lock litter is actuated by a lever pivotally mounted upon -the knuckle side ot the coupler head.

Figure 10 is a detail View, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing a modified form of the invention employing a top operating lifter for actuating the lock. the parts being shown in normal locked relation.

Figure 11 is a detail view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section. showing a modified forni of the invention in which the lock down shoulder of the coupler body is formed as a separate element.

Figure 12 is a sectional view'on the line 12-12, Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section.l ot' the modified construction shown in Figs. 1.1 andv Figure 14 is a view corresponding to Fig. 12, but illustrating a further modification of the construction.

Figure 15 is a View corresponding to Fig.

1 but illustrating a modified i'orm of locking block and a coupler head provided with a bollard.

Figure 16 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, of the locking block shown in Fig'. 15.

Figure 17 is afront elevation of a modified iorm oif locking block.

Figure 1S is a plan view ot the modiiied locking block.

In the drawings 1 is a coupler head, 2 the knucklev and 3 is the knuckle pin by which the knuckle is pivotally connected t-o the coupler head in the usual manner. In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated the stem' or shank 4, forming a part of the coupler body, is integrally connected to the head portion 1 ot said body.

Slidably mounted within the coupler head is a vertically movable lock 5 which normally projects across the path of movement of the tail oi the knuckle 2 so as to lock said knuckle in closed or coupled position., The lock 5 adapted to be moved. to unlocked position cither by a bottom operating lock liiter or by a top operating lock lifter 7 (see Fig. 10). In either case the lock and the litter associated therewith are operatively connected so as to be capable of relative sliding` and pivotal movements. It is preterred to constitute such a connection by providing the litter, 6 or 7 as the case may be. with oppositely disposed trunnions 8 which extend into trunnion guideways or recesses 9 of the lock, the said lock being formed with an upwardly and rearwardly openirg slot 10 to receive the adjacent portion of the lifter. The upper ends of the trunnion guideways 9 are located. above and forward of the center of gravity of the lock 5, with the result that. as shown in Fig. 4. the lock upon being raised to unlocked loca,- tion swings or tilts with respect to the lock lifter and is supported on the tail of the knuckle in lock set position., thus permitting the knuckle to be subsequently opened.

To permit the lock 5 to swing to lock set position after having been raised. the upper portion 11. ot the rear face otthe lock is beveled or inclined,- and for a similar purpose the front taco of the lock at one sido thereof is cut away or beveled. as at 12. To support Ythe knuckle locking portion 13 et the lock in raised position permitting the tail of the knuckle 2 to pass thereunder, the lock 5 is formed with a downwardly projecting lug 14 constitutingr a lock set leg' whose lower end is adapted to rest upon a lock set ledge or seat 15 on the uiiper surface of the tail ot the knuckle at a point adiacenti the .lock The ledge 15 extends only a part of the way along the rear upper edge ot the tail ot the knuckle and gradually diminishes or tapers in width se that as the knuckle 2 executes an opening movement the lock set lug or projection lll rides off the knuckle7 thus allowing .the lock to drop slightlyso that the under surfacev of its knuckle locking portion'13 is supported upon the upper surface of the` knuckle tail. It will be appreciated that the length of the ledge or lock set seat let on the tail of the knuckle governs the extent to which the ment with the inner end of the latter the head of the coupler is formed with a vertically extendingk wall 1G which is adapted to cooperate with the projection 14 on the lock so as to guide the latter during an extended unlocking movement.

Both the bottom operating lock lifter 6 and the top operating lock lifter 7 provide means for preventing accidental unlocking of the lock due to the shocks and iars incident to service. of locking the lockin locked position both forms of lifter are provided with a shoulder 17 which extends under a lock down shoulder 18 of the coupler head or body when the lock 5 and its lifter are in locked relation. If, as shown in Fig. 6, the lock 5 should be accidentally jarred towards unlocked position while in service the lifter will be raised until itsshoulder 17 comes into engagementv with the lock down shoulder 18 of the coupler head,V thus preventing` further unlocking movement of the lock. To ensure very efficient and positive functioning of the means for preventing' accidental ,unlocking of the lock, each formof lock lifter is provided with a vertically extending face or surface 19 which bears against the front face of the lock down wall or shoulder ofthe coupler head when theparts are in locked position; and each of the lifters is provided on its forward side with a vertically extending face or shoulder 2() which engages-a correspondiirel face on the lock 5 when the coupler is locked7 the faces or shoulders 19 and 20 being disposed on opposite' sides of the horizontal plane passing` through the axis of the trunnions 8. By cooperating with the coupler head and lock, respectively, these faces or shoulders 19 and 2() upon the locklifter prevent said lifter from accidentally rotating in a direction which would cause its locking shoulder 17 to swing or move from beneath the cooperating; lock down shoulder 18 of the coupler head. The lower end of the bottom operatinglifter 6 To perform this functionis preferably provided with an eye or aperture 21 for receiving the .end of an uncoualinv lever or other suitable .cou ler release rigging mechanism. The top operating lock lifter 7 may advantageously be provided with an eye or opening 22'at its upper end for a like purpose.

The coupler'is preferably provided with aV `bell crank knuckle opener lever 23 pivotally mounted upon a horizontally extending pivot pin24c 'which is preferably secured to the coupler head by beingr cast in place therein. rl`he longer arm 'of the knuckle opener extends downwardly behind the tail of the yknuckle 2 kso that when `the lock 5 engages the vshorter arm the knuckle opener is caused to rotate and thereby throwthe knuckle toopen position. For actuating the knuckle opener lever the lock is provided on its forward. face' with a' projection or lug 25 which, when the lock is raised to perform an extended .unlocking movement, engages the shorter arm of the knuckle opener lever, thereby forcing this member to rotate upon its pivot pin 24:. For the purpose of pre venting the knuckle opener lever 23 from becoming accidentally disconnected from its pivot pin 24, the coupler head may be advantageously provided kwith a 'retainer wall 26 which extends toward the knuckle opener` lever and whose forward end lies substantially in the salme transverse plane as the free end of thepivot pin 241. The retainer wall 26 is so disposed laterally with respectV to the pivot pin 24 that the knuckle opener lever 23 cannot turn suiciently far on said pivot to pass out of overlapping relation to said wall so long as the knuckle 2 is in assembled position.

To permit the knuckle opener` to be removed from its pivot pin it is first necessary to disconnect the knuckle from the coupler head. This allows the 4long` arm of the knuckle opener to be rotated towards the lock sufficiently far to clear the retainer wall 26.

Means for preventing accidental closing of the knuckle 2 may be employed if desired.4

An advantageous and simple construction which may be adopted for this purpose consists of al'coiled spring 27 which encircles the lower end of the knuckle pin 3, one end of said spring extending into a perforated lug 28 at the lower end of the pulling lugs of the knuckle and the other end similarly cooperating with a perforated lug 29 on the under side of the coupler head 1.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate the form of lever' 30 preferably used for actuating the bottom lock lifter 6 when a -low side pulluncoupling rod is to be used. This leveny which is of bell crank form, may be pivotally attached by a pin 31 to lugs 32'formed on the under side ofthe coupler head. One of its arms 33 enters the eye or aperture 21 in the lower end of the lifter 6,.w hile its other arm-is formed with an eye 34 permitting att-achment of a pull rod. Fig. 9 shows the style of lifter actuating lever 35 preferably employed for actuating the lifter 6 when a top or high left side ull uncoupling rod is to be used. This litter is pivotally mounted upon the coupler head by means of a pivot pin 36 passing through lugs 87 integral with said head. Its lower arm projects through the eye 21 in the lifter so that when the lever is rotated by its pull rod the lifter (i moves upwardly and causes the lock to perform an unlocking movement.

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate a modihed construction in which the lock down shoulder for cooperating with the lock lifter to prevent accidental unlocking of the lock is formed as a bar 38 which extends across the coupler barrel or shank 4c and is rigl dly secured to the latter by means of a pin or rivet 39. To permit this cross bar 38 to be placed in position one of the walls of the coupler shank is provided with a si'iitable opening 40. Opposite this opening the inner face of the opposing wall of the couple.` shank is formed with a socket or recess 11 for receiving the inner end of the bar 38.

The construction shown in Fig. 14 is sul stantally the same as that seen in Figs. 11, 12. and 13, except that the cross bar 38 is p held in assembled position by a key member 42 which is bent so as to overlap the outer end of the cross bar after the lat-ter has been placed in position. Other features of construction shown in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, are identical with parts heretofore described and accordingly have been indicated by corresponding reference numerals.

Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, show an embodiment of the invention in which the coupler head `1 is provided on its upper side with a bollard 43 for cooperating witha coupling link of the continental type. locking block o and bottom operating` lock lifter 6 heretofore described are preferably employed with this modified form of coupler head, a lock 114 of somewhat different form adapted for actuation only by a bottom operating lifter may be associated therewith if desired. The lock ai shown in this form of the invention has trunnion guideways or recesses which i are of slightly different .shape from the trunnion glieli wars 9 of the lock 5 but, as in the es i of the lock ii. the upper ends of the guioenai's #l5 are loraefl above aud forward ot' the center of gravity of the lock so as to enable the latter 'to tilt to lock .set iosition. The lock l-aalso differs from the lock in that the rearwardly opening slot L16 for receiving the upper end of the lifter does not open tlirough the upper surface of the lock. Except for the differences noted the modified form of construe* tion shown in Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, is the same as vthatfdiselosed in Fig. 1, and

wha@ uit accordingly similar parts have been identified by corresponding reference numerals.

In assembling the coupler the knuckle opener lever 23 is first placed on its pivot pin 24. To do th`f the lower end of the long arm of the knuckle opener is swung toward the right or guard arm side of the coupler as far as the opening in the throat of the coupler head will permit.V This brings the body of the knuckle opener to the rightot the retainer wall Q6 cast in the coupler head and thus permits the knuckle opener to be sl'AV Jed over the end of its pivot pin 2-1. The lock lifter, (3 or 7, as the ease may be. is then inc ed in the head and the locking block cnteied through the throat opening in the forward face of the coupler head 1. The end of the lifter is then brought into enibled relation with the lock, and finally tno knuckle 2 placed in position and secured by the knuckle pin 3.

When the lock lifter is actuated to effect an unlocking operation of the lock, it first slides vertically upward with respect to said lock until the lower edge of its face 2O below the trunnions is on a line or above the'adjacent wall of the recess in the locking block.

t or about this time the upper sides of the trunnions 8 come into contact with the upper inclined walls of the trunnion guideways 9, and continued upward movement ofthe lifter will therefore cause its lock engaging end to recede into the recess 10 of the lock, thereby withdrawing the shoulder 17 of the lifter from beneath the lock down shoulder 18 of the coupler body and thus freeing the lock for an unlocking movement. If the unlocking movement of the lock effected by the lifter is extended only sufficiently far to unlock the knuckle, the lock upon reaching such unlocked position tilts upon the trunnions 8 of the lifter and assumes lockv set position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus permittingr the knuckle to be subsequently opened. If, however, as shown in Fig. 5, the lock moves upwardly sufficiently far to bringthe lug 25 thereof into contact with thelshort arm of the rotatable knuckle opener lever 23, the knuckle opener lever is caused to rotate and its long arm by contacting with the tail of the knuckle swin the knuckle to open position.

A ear coupler eonstiiwted in accordance with the invention is strong. simple, easily assembled and disassembled and performs the required operations with a high degree of reliability and elliciency.`

1. A car coupler involving a coupler head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock for said knuckle, and a lifter for acmating said lock, said lock and said lifter being operatively connected so as to be capable of relative sliding and swinging movements, said head being provided with a shoulder adapted to be. engaged by said lifter to thereby prevent accidental unlockingoi' said lock, said-lifter being provided with a shoulder adapted to .extend under said shoulder of the coupler head when the lock is in locked position and also being provided with a plurality oi' faces which,

when said lifter is in normal locked relation.-

to said lock, respectively cooperate with said lock and said coupler head to thereby prevent said lifter from swinging in a direction permitting its said shoulder to inove from beneath the said cooperating' shoulderoi the coupler head, and said ylock when moved to unlocked position yby said lifter be-.

ing' adapted to swing with respect to said i lifter so as to be supported iii unlocked posiand rotatably connecting said lifter and said lock, said lockV having a rearwardly opening,` slet for receiving a portion of said lifter and being' i'orined with guideways i"'oi' said ti'unnions extending' forward ot the center of gravity of said lock, said litter having a sliouldei' which normally projects rearwardly beyond said lock when the latter isl in locked position, said coupler head being provided with a shoulder adapted to extend over and be engaged by said shoulder of the lifter to prevent accidental unlocking' Vof said lock, and said lifter being' provided with a plurality of faces disposed above and below said ti'uiiiiions and adapted respectively to cooperate with thecoupler head and lock to thereby prevent said lifter from swiiigingin direction j iei'niitting; its said shoulder to move from beneath the lsaid cooperating shoulder oi` the coupler head 3. A car coupler involving a coupler head,

Ya knuckle rotatably mounted on'said head, a

lock for said knuckle, anda lifter tor actuating` said lock, said litter constituting` ii'iean'sfor preventing said lock from accidentally moving to unlocked position, said liiter and said lock being operativelyr connected so Vas to be capable of relative sliding and pivotal movements, and said lock being adapted when moved to unlocked position by said lifter to swing` over and be supported by position. Y v Y 4. A car coupler involving' a coupler head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock foi' said knuckle, and a lifter for acsaid knuckle while the latter isin closed tuating said lock, said lifter being slidably' and pivotallyiconnected to said lock and eX- tending downwardly therefrom through an opening in the coupler head, said lifter being adapted to ,cooperatey with said lock and said head to prevent saidlock from accidentally l supported by said knuckle while the latter is in closed position. y

5,l ifi car coupler,involvingY a coupler head,

a knuckle rotatably mounted onv saidv head, a

lockfor said.knuckle,y and means for moving); said lockte unlocked position, said lock beingadapted toy tilt with respect to said means 'and con'ipi'i'sing' a knuckle lackingV portion and a guiding projection, said knuckle loci-ting' portion being adapted to stand in. .the path of uncoupling' movement oit the tail ot' the knuckle, and said guiding projection being adapted to overlap the iiiiiei' end ei' Athe tail ofthe knuckle so as to preventsaid lock from tilting forwardly until after said knuckle locking portion has assumed a position permitting said knuckle to open. W

6. il. car coupler involvinga couplerhead, a knuckle rotatably meunted on saidl head, a lock for said knuckle, and means for actuating; said lock to cause it to assume unlocked positien, said lock being adapted to tilt with Y respect to said ineans'and comprising a knuckle locking' portion and a lun; projecting i from said locking portion and extending downwardly below' the latter, said. locking' pcrtien beingfadapted to ystand in the path of uncoupling' movement of the tail of the I knuckle, said lugv censtitutiiigl guiding' means for preventing said leck from tilting toward said knuckle until after said locking' portion has been moved to a position pei'inittin said knuckle to open, and the tail oi'rsaid knuckle :termed with ledge upon which said v s adapted to'seat when the lock has tilt edv after beiiiginoved to unlocked position.

C?. ik cai' coupler iifivolving` a coupler head a knuckle roti a leek for said knuckle, and a lock litter for blymoiintcd on said head,y

actuating' said lock, said litter and lock be-4k ing' Voperablyiconnected with capability of relative movement, said lock being formed with a knuckle locking` portion and a guid-r ingprojection, said locking portion being' adapted to stand Vin' the path of uncou plinp," movement et' the tail of the knuckle, said guiding projection being adapted to overlap and cooperate with the innerend of the tail ofthe knucklewhen the latter is f closed, aiidsaid'liead beiiipjprovided above the tail of said knuckle with a guiding; wall wl-iicli is' adapted to cooperatel with said guiding projection, said guidingwall being' fsubstz'ii'itially in vertical alinement with the j said end portion ofthe-tail of the` knuckle with ,which said projection cooperates.

8. A car coupler involving a coupler head, a knuckle rotatably mounted on said head, a lock for said knuckle, a lifter for actuating said lock, and a rotatable lever for opening said knuckle, said lock and said lifter beingr operatively connected so as to be capable of relative sliding and swinging movements, said head beingr provided with a Shoulder adapted to be engaged by said lifter to thereby prevent accidental unlocking ot said lock, said lifter being provided with a shoulder adapted to extend under said slioulder of the coupler head when the lock is in locked position and also being provided with trunnions and with a plurality of faces die posed above and below said trunuions and adapted respectively to cooperate with thc coupler head and lock yto thereby prevent adapted to tilt so as to be supported in un.

locked position on the tail of said knuckle `while the latter is closed, and Said lock being' adapted upon an extended unlocking moi/'ement to engage and actuate Said knuckle opening lever.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signaturcs.

WILLIAM J. REGAN. WILLIAM KRL-SO. 

